Kitchen backsplashes not only protect your walls from water damage and stains, but they can also add personality and visual interest to your cooking space. With so many do-it-yourself backsplash options available today, refreshing your backsplash is an easy and budget-friendly way to update the look and feel of your kitchen. Whether you want something classic like subway tile or a mosaic backsplash made from pennies, stones, or glass, DIY backsplash projects allow you to customize your design while saving on installation costs.
Choosing a DIY Backsplash Style
When deciding on a do-it-yourself backsplash for your kitchen, consider the overall aesthetic you want to achieve. Here are some popular backsplash design styles to help spark ideas:
Classic Tile
Tile backsplashes offer timeless beauty and an elegant, finished look. Popular options include:
- Subway tile – Rectangular white glossy tiles laid in a brick pattern are a classic choice. Go for a traditional white, or add interest with subway tiles in gray, black, or colored glass.
- Peninsula tile – Larger tiles laid in a brick pattern add a timeless, vintage vibe. Great for cottage kitchens.
- Hexagon tile – Hexagon-shaped tiles create visually appealing geometric patterns. Looks great in contemporary spaces.
- Herringbone tile – Angled rectangular tiles arranged in a V-shaped, zig-zag herringbone pattern add lovely visual texture.
- Diamond tile – Diamond-shaped tiles lend a clean, modern look with just a touch of sophistication.
- Marble, travertine, or granite tile – For a luxurious, Old World vibe, natural stone tiles can’t be beat.
Modern Mosaic
Mosaic tiles create a pixelated, artistic look. Options for DIY mosaics include:
- Penny tile – Pieces of actual pennies create a funky, metallic mosaic.
- Glass tile – Mix colored glass mosaics for an artsy wall of tiles. Keep it sleek with a single glass color.
- Ceramic tile – Use squares of ceramic tile in one or multiple colors.
- Mirror tile – For serious bling, mirrored tiles amp up the glam factor.
Natural Stone
For an earthy, organic look, natural stone offers unmatched beauty. Choices include:
- Pebble tile – Real pebbles on a tile backing create a unique textured look.
- River rock tiles – Natural-shaped stones on a mesh backing for an outdoorsy style.
- Marble slab – A marble backsplash is a princely choice. Use large format slabs for big impact.
- Travertine – Rustic tumbled travertine tiles add organic warmth.
- Slate tile – Layered slate tile in grayish-blue tones add subtle sophistication.
Handcrafted
For a DIY backsplash that’s truly one-of-a-kind, handcraft your own tiles or focal point. Ideas include:
- Mosaic from broken plates or ceramic pieces – Make a mosaic backsplash from broken dishware for a shabby chic, salvaged design.
- Hand-painted tiles – Unleash your inner artist! Paint simple ceramic tiles with your own unique designs.
- Embedded items – Press meaningful items like sea glass or beads into clay or plaster tiles before installation.
- Graffiti tiles – Use special marker pens to graffiti messages or images onto ceramic tiles before firing.
- Stamped metal tiles – Hammer patterns into aluminum flashing or tin ceiling tiles.
DIY Kitchen Backsplash Materials and Supplies
Now that you’ve selected the style of your new backsplash, gather materials and supplies. For tile backsplashes, you’ll need:
- Tile (calculate sq ft needed)
- Tile adhesive
- Grout
- Grout float
- Grout sealer
- Trowel
- Tile spacers
- Tile cutter or wet saw
- Mixing bucket
- Notched trowel
- Caulk and caulk gun
For other elements like splashes of color paint, faux bricks, or artwork, you’ll also need:
- Primer/sealer
- Paint and brushes
- Painter’s tape
- Artwork or decor
- Construction adhesive (for 3D elements)
- Faux brick panels or sticker sheets
Preparing Your Backsplash Area
Proper prep is key for a long-lasting backsplash installation. Follow these steps:
1. Clean the surface. Remove any oil, grime, or soap scum from your existing backsplash using cleaning solutions or denatured alcohol.
2. Remove existing backsplash. Carefully pry off any old backsplash materials like tile or plastic laminate using a putty knife or pry bar.
3. Repair any damage. Fix holes, cracks, or uneven spots on the wall with drywall joint compound. Sand until smooth.
4. Prime the surface. Apply a layer of primer to aid adhesion and prevent stains from bleeding through.
5. Apply any redguard. Redguard seals porous surfaces to help prevent moisture damage behind the tile. Apply with a brush or roller.
With the prep work complete, you’re ready to install your new DIY backsplash!
Installing a Tile Backsplash
Follow these steps for foolproof tile installation:
1. Plan your tile layout. Dry lay a few rows of tile on the countertop to determine the optimal layout. Adjust so tiles aren’t awkwardly small or uneven at edges.
2. Mix thinset mortar. Thinset provides the adhesive for the tile. Follow package directions. Let sit for 10 minutes, then give it a quick stir before use.
3. Spread thinset on the wall. Apply a layer of thinset with your notched trowel, using broad, even strokes. Spread only a small area to avoid drying out.
4. Place the first tile. Set the corner tile in place and use a level to ensure it’s straight. Place spacers around edges.
5. Lay whole rows. Continue setting tiles one row at a time. Use spacers to get consistent grout lines. Use tile cutters as needed.
6. Let tile set. Allow thinset to cure 24 hours before applying grout. Do not disturb tiles as they set. Keep kids and pets clear.
7. Mix and apply grout. Follow package directions to mix grout. Use a grout float to spread it across tiles, forcing into joints with a scraping motion.
8. Clean excess grout. Let grout set just until hazy, around 10 minutes. Use a damp sponge to wipe away residue. Rinse sponge frequently.
9. Seal grout. Once grout has cured 24 hours, apply grout sealer as directed. This protects grout from stains and moisture.
And just like that, you have a stunning new DIY tile backsplash! Enjoy your handiwork.
Installing Alternative Backsplash Materials
For other backsplash materials like penny tiles, bricks, or hand-painted designs, adapt the basic installation process:
Penny tiles:
- Attach pennies to mesh backing or acrylic sheets using construction adhesive.
- Cut sheets to fit your space.
- Adhere to wall using adhesive suitable for the backing material.
Faux bricks:
- Wipe wall with denatured alcohol to clean.
- Roll brick panels onto the wall using panel adhesive.
- For brick sticker sheets, simply peel and stick each brick.
Hand painted designs:
- Paint designs on primed wall surface.
- Use painter’s tape to create sharp edges on geometric designs.
- Seal with polyurethane sealer once paint has fully cured.
Embedded or handmade tiles:
- Apply thinset mortar to wall.
- Press tiles gently into thinset and space evenly.
- After curing, grout and seal as you would regular tile.
Let your creativity run wild for your own custom backsplash masterpiece!
DIY Kitchen Backsplash Ideas to Inspire Your Project
The possibilities are endless when creating your own kitchen backsplash design. For inspiration, here are some stunning yet easy DIY backsplash ideas you can tackle:
Snazzy Subway Tile Designs
Jazz up classic subway tiles with interesting patterns and layouts:
- Stacked layout – Lay bricks in a offset stacked bond rather than staggered forinterest
- Vertical bricks – Run long, narrow bricks vertically rather than horizontally
- Contrasting grout – Use black grout with white subway tiles for dramatic effect
- Decorative subway – Choose subway tiles with fun shapes, patterns, or colors
- Mixed sizes – Combine standard 3×6” subways with skinny stringers
- Subway mosaic – Arrange subway tiles sideways into a mosaic design
Geometric Tile Style
Play with shape and color using geometric tiles:
- Hexagon honeycomb – Cover the wall in a honeycomb of hexagons
- Herringbone pattern – Traditional or oversized herringbone tiles
- Geometric mosaic – Use tiles like circles, triangles, diamonds
- Multi-colored geometric – Use several bold colors for a graphic look
- Minimalist white geometric – Keep it clean with glossy white tiles
- Vertical geometric – Stack rectangular tiles vertically rather than horizontally
Natural Stone Style
Incorporate beautiful natural stone into your backsplash:
- Pebble sheet – Cover the backsplash in a stone pebble sheet
- Partial pebble – Accent with bands of pebble tiles
- Ledger stone – Use rectangular hand-cut ledger stones
- Stone mosaic – Make a mosaic using real stone tiles
- Rustic stacked slate – Irregular slate stones stacked unevenly
- Travertine tile – Fill the space with rich travertine
- Marble tile – For pure elegance try marble subway tile
Artsy Accents
Add artsy interest with unexpected materials:
- Mirror accents – Dot backsplash with round mirror tiles
- Marble remnants – Make a mosaic from marble tile remnants
- Wine corks – Adhere wine corks into fun patterns and images
- Letter tiles – Spell out words like “EAT” or “FAMILY” in tile
- Quirky objects – Affix whimsical items like vintage buttons or game pieces
- Meaningful photos – Mount small framed photos among the tiles
Organic Style
Bring nature indoors with organic and natural elements:
- Bold botanical mural – Paint oversized floral motif
- Mini succulent garden – Create a living succulent accent
- Wood slice pendants – Hang wood slices as removable art
- River rock band – Adhere river rock tiles as an accent stripe
- Leaf print tiles – Use ceramic tiles with leaf designs
- Framed sea glass – Display colored shards in mini shadowbox frames
Maintaining Your DIY Backsplash
Caring for your new backsplash will keep it looking fresh for years to come:
- Seal natural stone backsplashes annually to protect from stains
- Re-seal grout every 1-2 years to prevent staining or moisture damage
- Use gentle cleaners and avoid harsh chemicals that can dull or etch surfaces
- Wipe up spills immediately to prevent stains on grout or tile
- Do not allow soap scum or hard water buildup – clean frequently
- Remove grease splatters right away before they congeal
- Repair any cracked or damaged tiles right away to prevent moisture issues
With the right care and maintenance, your kitchen backsplash will delight for many years!
Frequently Asked Questions About DIY Backsplashes
If it’s your first time installing a backsplash, you likely have lots of questions. Here are answers to some commonly asked DIY backsplash FAQs:
Q: What are the easiest DIY backsplash ideas for beginners?
A: Peel-and-stick tile, faux brick panels, penny tiles, and painted designs are all easy backsplash projects for DIY beginners.
Q: Can I install a backsplash directly over existing tile?
A: Unfortunately, this is not recommended. It’s best to remove old tile completely before installing new tile or backsplash materials.
Q: How do I cut the tile for my backsplash?
A: Use a manual tile cutter for straight cuts and a wet saw fitted with a diamond blade for detailed cuts like L-shapes and notches.
Q: Should my backsplash go all the way to the ceiling?
A: Most backsplashes end about 4 inches from the bottom of the upper cabinets. But you can extend yours higher if desired.
Q: What’s the best grout color choice for white subway tiles?
A: Classic white grout matches everything, but stark black or even gray grout adds drama against white tiles.
Q: How long does it take for grout and thinset to fully cure?
A: Allow 24 full hours for thinset mortar to cure before applying grout. Grout takes another 24 hours to cure fully.
Q: Can I use leftover floor or wall tile for a backsplash?
A: Absolutely! Leftover tile is a budget-friendly choice. Just make sure it will coordinate well with your overall kitchen design aesthetic.
Q: How do I cut holes for outlets in a tile backsplash?
A: Trace the outlet shape onto your tile, then carefully cut out the hole using an oscillating multitool fitted with a ceramic blade.
Conclusion
Installing a DIY backsplash is a fun weekend project that can completely transform the look of your kitchen. With so many backsplash materials and designs to choose from, you can easily create a backsplash that matches your personal taste and fits your budget. Just be sure to do the proper prep work to ensure it lasts. And always look for opportunities to add unique handcrafted touches. With a creative DIY backsplash, you can give your kitchen a fresh new look on a dime!